OPINION

Time for answers

As revelations of lawlessness, scandals, provocative behavior and alleged crimes abound in the burgeoning scandal that has beset the Church, serious questions arise regarding churchmen’s perceptions of their mission and the ability of the State to react appropriately in times of crisis (the expression of its desire for catharsis is simply not enough). These questions become even more weighty when one considers the involvement of judicial officials and why other state bodies have not intervened in the probe… But the everyday citizen, who is bombarded by revelations and accusations, can only ask himself why no immediate action was taken by the Economy Ministry’s Financial Crimes Squad or any other state body to establish whether the millions of euros stashed away in bank accounts in the name of Bishop Panteleimon of Attica were the cleric’s legitimate savings… At the very least, one would expect a thorough inspection of financial assets belonging to all Church foundations… In such situations, the State cannot simply sit by and watch as Church leaders pledge to stamp out corruption within their ranks; it has to take concrete measures. As for the responsibility of the clerics, that is a much more complex matter. Were senior churchmen not aware that their oaths do not entitle them to income from other sources? And is it not clear which churchmen have been living in such luxury that they should have to face the appropriate penalties…?

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